Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Liquidia Co-Founder, UNC Graduate Receives Award for Outstanding Doctoral Research

Home > Press > Liquidia Co-Founder, UNC Graduate Receives Award for Outstanding Doctoral Research

Abstract:
Dr. Jason Rolland, Senior Scientist and Co-founder of Liquidia Technologies and a 2005 doctoral graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), is the recipient of the prestigious 2007 National Starch & Chemical Company Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Science and Engineering. Dr. Rolland received the award at the American Chemical Society meeting on August 19th in Boston, MA.

Liquidia Co-Founder, UNC Graduate Receives Award for Outstanding Doctoral Research

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC | Posted on August 20th, 2007

The Award recognizes a current or recent graduate student with the most
outstanding Ph.D. thesis in polymer science and engineering accepted by a
U.S. or Canadian university. Nominees for the Award are judged on the basis
of their personal contributions to the research, the quality and level of
innovation demonstrated, and the impact on the field of synthetic polymers
or bipolymers.

Dr. Rolland's thesis, which he wrote under the direction of Professor
Joseph DeSimone, examined novel applications of perfluoropolyether (PFPE)
materials. According to Rolland's research, PFPEs have wide ranging
applications that include antifouling coatings, microfluidics, mold-based
lithography for nano-patterned films, and nanoparticle fabrication.

"Since the 1960s PFPEs have been used for niche applications such as
lubricants and greases," explains Professor DeSimone. "Jason's thesis
explores exciting opportunities to expand the use of PFPEs to areas which
exploit their unique properties, and opens the door to applications yet to
be discovered. He has added a new chapter to the field of fluoropolymer
research and is fully deserving of this award."

Recognizing the market need for precisely engineered nanoparticles and
films, Rolland and colleagues from UNC founded Liquidia Technologies in
2004 to exploit the unique properties of PFPEs for applications ranging
from delivery systems for biological therapeutics to nano-structured
optical films. Liquidia is currently advancing products in the materials
and life science sectors through internal development efforts and
partnerships with Fortune 500 companies.

Robert Henn, CTO of Liquidia, notes, "The fundamental discoveries that
Jason made during his studies at UNC have been immensely valuable as we
continue to develop a robust nanotechnology product platform for particles
and films. Jason is a rare scientist, one in a hundred, who makes an impact
in industry immediately after making the transition from academia."

Sponsored by National Starch & Chemical Company, Rolland will receive a
cash prize, plaque, and travel expenses to the ACS Meeting for winning the
Award.

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About Liquidia Technologies
Liquidia Technologies™ uses its innovative PRINT™ product platform to design, develop, and manufacture high-value products in the life science and materials science sectors. This platform allows the company to commercialize discrete nanoparticles and patterned films with complete precision of nanoscale features. Life science applications of the PRINT™ platform include targeted delivery therapeutics, drug product reformulations, and drug-device combination therapies. Applications in materials science include nano-engineered films and membranes for the management of light in display and photovoltaic devices.

The company was founded on the revolutionary material and process discoveries of Professor Joseph DeSimone, a National Academy of Engineering member, and his labs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. Liquidia was incorporated in 2004 and is located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

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Contacts:
Liquidia Technologies, Inc.
P.O. Box 110085
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 991-0835
Facsimile - (919) 991-0827
Email -

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